Martial arts sparring vest

ABSTRACT

This invention a “martial arts sparring vest” features a single unit design to be utilized by participants during martial arts sparring contests. The multi-colored fabrics of white, red and blue visually enhance the scoring and non-scoring regions and thereby increase the visibility of these areas for participants, judges and referees. The vest features a front loading vertical zipper and protective flap making it very easy for participants of all ages to put on and take off the vest. The 5-ply construction and inserts are constructed of lightweight fabric and padding enhancing the level of comfort for the participant. Customized sizing with strategic contouring on the front, side and back portions of the vest allow for enhanced freedom of movement during the execution of martial arts technique. The single cut patterning of the inside, middle and outside layers simplifies manufacturing, construction and customization.

This invention is a “martial arts sparring vest” to be utilized by participants during martial arts sparring contests. The multi-colored fabric of white, red, and blue on the outer layer increases visibility of scoring and non-scoring regions for judges, participants and referees. The vest features a vertical front zipper for easy installation. The 5-ply construction which features lightweight and waterproof polyester mix fabric making the vest fully machine washable requiring low maintenance. The contoured cuts and belt notch front of the vest allows for enhanced freedom of movement during the execution of martial arts sparring technique.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

-   -   1. In one aspect, the invention relates to a torso vest but         specifically a vest for martial arts sparring contests.     -   2. A problem occurring for judges and referees due to their         relative position in regards to the contest is adequately and         visually discerning whether a technique encroached into a         scoring or non-scoring area.     -   3. A problem occurring during martial arts sparring contests         are; alternative vests have too many inaccessible rear mounted         straps and are too complicated for youngsters requiring         assistance from others, usually instructors, to help install the         vests. This wastes training time, focus and attention of the         students and instructors.     -   4. Another problem is; most alternative vests bunch up at key         points on the front and side of the vest thus restricting         freedom of movement and comfort.     -   5. Another problem is; alternative vests do not designate         scoring or non-scoring areas which are highly visible by judges         and referees.     -   6. Further; many students forego the use of alternative vests         due to the lack of comfort experienced while utilizing vests.         Participants complain about the restriction of movement and the         amount of trouble and wasted time enlisting the help of others         to adjust these vests properly.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

-   -   1. It is an object of this invention to enhance visually the         scoring and non-scoring areas for participants, judges and         referees.     -   2. It is another object of this invention to designate the         scoring areas through the use of white, red and blue colored         fabrics on the front and side outer layer of the vest.     -   3. It is another object of this invention to provide an easy         system of utilization through a vertical zipper located on the         front and center of the vest which is easily accessible to the         user for the purpose of putting on and taking off the vest.     -   4. It is an object of this invention to reduce or minimize the         time needed for participants to utilize vests for martial arts         sparring contests.     -   5. It is also an object of this invention to provide an enhanced         experience of comfort as a result of its lightweight material         construction and the contoured areas on the vest front and side         torso as well as a notch for martial arts belt knots.     -   6. It is also an object of this invention to reduce the care and         maintenance needed by constructing the vest with completely         machine washable materials.     -   7. It is further an object of this invention to simplify the         construction and manufacturing of the invention through single         sheet templates.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention a “martial arts sparring vest” features a single unit design to be utilized by participants during martial arts sparring contests. The multi-colored fabrics visually enhance the scoring and non-scoring regions thereby increasing the visibility of these areas for participants, judges and referees. The vest features a vertical front zipper making it very easy for participants to put on and take off the vest. The 5-ply layered construction of lightweight fabric and padding enhancing the level of comfort and freedom of movement for the participant. Strategic contouring on the front, side and back portions of the vest allow for enhanced freedom of movement during the execution of martial arts technique. The utilization of polyester mix fabrics promotes easy maintenance by allowing complete machine washing of the vest. The single cut patterning of the inside, middle and outside layers also simplifies manufacturing and construction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Frontal view of the Invention

FIG. 2: Back view of the Invention

FIG. 3: Single Cut Inside view of the Invention

FIG. 4: Single Cut Outside view of the Invention

FIG. 5: Exploded Left view of the Invention

FIG. 6: Exploded Right view of the Invention

FIG. 7: Invention Inserts and Overlays

FIG. 8: Flap Bindings of the Invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 displayed the vest from a front view, fully constructed, zipped up and ready for use. (A); displays the center mounted plastic zipper and reinforced fabric flap used to secure the vest to the participant. (B); displays a front cut contoured belt notch cut where the belt knot of the participant can be receded to prevent bunching during use. (C); displays the side contoured cut to prevent bunching when executing side leg martial arts techniques. (D); displays the upper right red insert sewn onto the outside layer denoting a scoring area. (E); displays the upper left red insert sewn onto the outside layer denoting a scoring area. (F); displays the lower left blue insert sewn onto the outer layer denoting a scoring area. (G); displays the lower right blue insert sewn onto the outer layer denoting a scoring area. (H); displays the vest trimmed arm holes.

The back view as shown in FIG. 2; (A & B) displays the where the single pattern is folded and flaps are joined together with reinforced stitching. The flaps are also displayed in FIG. 3: (A & B) and further in FIG. 4; (E & F). Designation (C) displays the reinforcing trim used to bind the layers together at the bottom. (D & E) displays the wrap around of the blue inserts and denotes further the side scoring areas. The horizontal and vertical reinforced stitching used to bind the inside, middle and outside layers are shown at (F & G). Designations (H & I) display the side contoured cuts as viewed from the back.

Displaying the inside view of the single cut design FIG. 3; (A); displays the 2 inch flaps used to finally join the vest together at points (E & F) as seen in FIG. 4. In FIG. 3; (B); displays the 2 inch reinforcing trim used to bind the layers together at the bottom portion of the vest. (C); displays the female portion of the zipper and (D); the male portion of the zipper. The horizontal reinforced stitching is located at the center back is displayed by (E). The reinforced flap for zipper protection is indicated at (F). Left and right contoured and reinforced arm holes are designated by points (G & H). Points (I & J) display the left and right contoured side cuts and (K & L) the left and right belt notch cuts respectively.

FIG. 4 displays an outside view of the single cut design and designates at points (A & C) the top left and right red inserts used to denote upper scoring areas. Points (B & D) designates the lower left and right blue inserts used to denote the lower scoring areas. The location where the inside joining flaps (as displayed in FIG. 3) will be stitched secure are designated by points (E & F). The reinforced zipper flap is indicated at (G).

In FIG. 5 an exploded view of the layers is presented; (A); the inner layer is a single cut pattern constructed of a polyester/nylon fabric. Indicated by (B & C) are the plastic polymer inserts to give the vest strength and stability. The inserts are constrained by stitching made at the peripheral when securing the inside layer (A) to the middle layer (E). Shoulder binding is indicated by (D) and the female section of the zipper by (F). Colored inserts designated by (H & I) are secured to the outside layer (G) and the outside layer is secured to the middle layer (E). Arm holes and the vest periphery are secured with 2 inch trim throughout.

FIG. 6; a layered view to the right repeats designations (A to F) continuing with point (G) displays the male section of the zipper and reinforced zipper flap. (I & J) are the colored inserts to be secured to the outside layer (H) and the periphery trim is indicated by (K).

In FIG. 7 the template cuts for the outside and middle layer inserts are shown. The outside inserts to be constructed of red and blue fabric are designated by (A to D). The middle layer inserts designated by (E to H) to consist of plastic polymer inserts of 0.0625 to 0.125 depending on size of the vest.

Indicated in FIG. 8 are the (A) the reinforcing zipper flap will be 3 to 4 inches in width and 12 to 24 inches in length will protected the zipper during sparring contests. The inside left of the vest will be secured to the inside center by reinforced stitching at point (B). A top view of both stitching locations is indicated by points (C & D).

Summary of Invention Assembly

-   -   1. Inside, middle and outside layers are cut from templates     -   2. Outside and middle inserts are cut from templates     -   3. Male and female zipper sections are secured     -   4. Middle and inside layers with inserts are secured     -   5. Outside inserts are secured to outside layer     -   6. Outside layer is secured to middle layer     -   7. Zipper Flap is Reinforced     -   8. Arm hole and peripheral trim is secured     -   9. Inside L/R shoulder flaps are secured     -   10. Zipper is closed 

1. A martial arts sparring vest to be utilized during martial arts sparring contests.
 2. A martial arts sparring vest as in claim 1 wherein the vest is equipped with colored inserts to be affixed to the outside layer visually displaying scoring and non-scoring areas,
 3. A martial arts sparring vest as in claim 2 wherein the vest outside, middle and inside layers are constructed from single sections of fabric materials.
 4. A martial arts sparring vest as in claim 3 wherein the vest is secured to the participant with a vertical front and center zipper.
 5. A martial arts sparring vest as in claim 4 wherein the zipper of the 5-ply layered vest is protected by a reinforced fabric flap.
 6. A martial arts sparring vest as in claim 5 wherein the vest is constructed with contoured cuts on the side torso portions.
 7. A martial arts sparring vest as in claim 6 wherein the vest is constructed with a martial arts belt notch in the front, lower, center portion.
 8. A martial arts sparring vest as in claim 5 and 7 wherein the vest is reinforced with plastic polymer inserts to be affixed to the middle layer for strength and stability.
 9. A martial arts sparring vest as in claim 4 and 8 wherein the outside layer right and left are secured to the outside layer center of the vest with shoulder flaps. 